Transportation Management System Report for Downtown West Palm Beach Traffic Concurrency Exception Area (TCEA)
Prepared by: The City of West Palm Beach Planning Division
March 2015
Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 History In 1985, the Florida State Legislature enacted legislation to help ensure that public facilities such as streets, sewers, and water infrastructure were funded and constructed concurrent with development. The intent of transportation concurrency was to control urban sprawl, maintain automobile use at levels consistent with the motor vehicle capacity of the street, and maintain a mandated level of service for drivers. The State soon realized that transportation concurrency did not control sprawl as well as intended. In fact, it had the opposite result of hindering redevelopment and infill and encouraging development outside of built up areas where developers could find lightly used streets or build new ones quicker. To mitigate this shortcoming in urban areas, the State developed regulations for the adoption of transportation concurrency exception areas (TCEAs). In 1993, West Palm Beach set out to rebuild itself by creating a great Downtown through the vision of a livable, sustainable, and economically successful city. To achieve this, the City began several visionary initiatives in the Downtown that included mixed land uses and building types, beautification, increasing the City’s walkability, and decreasing dependence on the automobile. In 1995, the City realized that this vision could not be achieved simultaneously with the redevelopment constraints of transportation concurrency and applied for a TCEA for the Downtown area. For the purposes of the TCEA, the Downtown is generally defined as Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to the north, the Intracoastal Waterway to the east, Okeechobee Boulevard to the south, and Clear Lake to the west (Figure 1). FIGURE 1 In 1997, the City adopted the TCEA into its Comprehensive Plan. The goals of the TCEA include, but are not limited to: (1) promoting redevelopment of the Downtown to create an attractive, vibrant place where people live, work, and shop; (2) creating a Downtown that will be the judicial, governmental, cultural, and historic center of Palm Beach County; (3) offering a sustainable alternative to development through mixed use opportunities; and (4) reducing the City’s dependence on automobiles. Generally, the TCEA is an extension or enabler for the implementation of the City’s Downtown Master Plan (DMP), housed in the Downtown Master Plan Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 Purpose and Intent As part of the approval of the City’s TCEA, several goals, objectives, and policies (GOPs) were adopted in the Transportation, Capital Improvements, and Downtown Master Plan elements of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The GOPs were created to ensure that the City’s Transportation Vision and the intent of the TCEA were maintained. As indicated in the next section, the creation of a transportation management system (TMS) was one such policy. The purpose and intent of the TMS is to efficiently and effectively utilize existing transportation facilities and services. According to the Institute of Transportation Engineers, TMS strategies can be classified into three basic categories: creating efficient use of street space, reducing vehicle use in congested areas, and improving transit service. Within each category, a variety of strategies and tactics can be utilized, such as those listed in the policy below.
TCEA Requirements This report satisfies the TCEA requirements of Policy 2.3.5(a) of the Transportation Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Policy 2.3.5(a): The City shall monitor vehicular traffic operations within the Downtown and shall prepare an annual report to determine the necessary measures to effectively manage vehicular traffic operations and evaluate the effectiveness of the Traffic Management System (TMS) measures outlined in other policies in this Objective. The City shall distribute the report to the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Palm Beach County, and other interested agencies no later than March of every year. Based on the results of the traffic monitoring report, the City will pursue strategies including, but not limited to, the following: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
change motor vehicle signalization devices; promote public transit services; encourage transportation mode options; implement an employer-based Transportation Demand Management (TDM) activities; develop a centrally-managed system of strategically located parking facilities; and facilitate capital projects and street modifications in keeping with the Transportation Vision.
Residential to Non-Residential Ratio Requirements As part of the TCEA requirements, TE Policy 2.3.5(h) was adopted requiring the Downtown to comply with specific residential to non-residential ratios for future years. The policy was adopted to ensure that the future growth of the Downtown is predicated on a balance of land uses
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 which will help achieve shorter vehicle miles travelled and leads to a reduced dependence on automobiles. As Attachment 1 indicates, the current residential to non-residential ratios for Downtown comply with the requirements of the policy below. Policy 2.3.5(h): The DMP and TCEA are predicated on a set of assumptions needed to provide and implement the transportation goals, increase the number of residential dwelling units, and increase the intensity of nonresidential land uses. This balance of land uses is essential in achieving shorter trip lengths and reduced dependence on automobiles, as envisioned by the DMP and TCEA. This balance shall be maintained by the following actions: (a) The City shall implement the DMP to increase the number of residential units in and near the Downtown; (b) The City shall increase the density and mix of land uses in Downtown; and (c) The City shall increase the ratio of residential to nonresidential land uses. The ratio is the total number of built residential dwelling units divided by the total amount of built nonresidential development (1,000 square feet) in the Downtown (for purposes of this calculation, built units or nonresidential floor space are those having been issued a certificate of occupancy). The 1995 ratio (based on 1995 data), as calculated by the Buildable Areas Monitoring Table, is 0.33, and the DMP projects development within the boundaries of the TCEA to reach a built ratio of 0.46 by year 2010. Five years from the effective date of the City’s TCEA [May 15, 1997], the City shall achieve a built ratio of no less than the 1995 ratio of 0.33 (the baseline ratio). If the built ratio is lower than 0.33 at that time, no building permits shall be issued for new development (not including renovation) in Downtown which represent a ratio lower than the next baseline, until such time that a recalculation of built units and floor space yields at least a built ratio of 0.33. Every two years (“reporting period”) following the fifth year from the effective date of the City’s TCEA [May 15, 1997], the City shall increase its baseline ratio by 0.03 until the baseline ratio reaches 0.46. Thereafter, 0.46 will be the baseline ratio, as indicated in the table below. If the baseline ratio is not met by the end of each reporting period, then no building permits shall be issued for new development in the Downtown which represent a ratio lower than the next baseline ratio, until such time that a recalculation of built units and floor space yields at least the baseline ratio. This annual report shall be based on total built units as of one month prior to the end of the reporting period.
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 TABLE 21 DOWNTOWN BASELINE RATIOS Years After Effective Date 5 7 9 11 13 14+
Baseline Ratio 0.33 0.36 0.39 0.42 0.45 0.46
Transportation Management System To date, the City has pursued several efforts to support the TMS, these include: • Requesting appropriate signal timing changes or related modifications to signal operations in the downtown; • Working with Palm Beach County to design and install a signal at Clematis Street and Quadrille Boulevard; • Working with FDOT to enhance transit infrastructure and service on U.S. 1 and along the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad tracks; • Working with Palm Tran and Tri Rail on ways to enhance transit service in the Downtown; • Working with the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Palm Beach County, and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council on the Intermodal Station that opened in 2009 and will be an integral component of the proposed Transit Oriented Development (TOD); • Making improvements to the Seaboard Train Station area to make it more convenient for its users; • Developing initiatives to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and comfort in the Downtown; • Working on programs to provide bicycle parking facilities throughout the Downtown; • Continually implementing projects that expand and improve the Downtown trolley service, including a recently started trolley route that connects the Seaboard Train Station with several activity nodes in Downtown; • Continuing to work with FDOT and South Florida Commuter Services on the existing Transportation Management Initiative for the Downtown. These and other efforts are detailed in the following sections: Coordination with Palm Beach County on signal timing operations in the downtown One TMS priority is to increase the effectiveness of the existing transportation facilities, such as optimizing signalization. The Traffic Signal Section of the Palm Beach County Traffic Division
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 controls and monitors all traffic signals in West Palm Beach’s Downtown TCEA Area. The City continues to coordinate with the County to achieve optimal signal operations in the Downtown. Downtown Transit Service Another TMS effort is to improve transit service in the Downtown. Currently ten Palm Tran routes either terminate or go through the Downtown West Palm Beach area (Figure 2). FIGURE 2: Palm Tran Routes in Downtown West Palm Beach Trolley http://www.pbcgov.com/palmtran/maps_schedules/pdf/maps/WPB_Inset_1-25-11.pdf
Trolley
Since the year 2000 the City has been operating a trolley service between the Clematis Street District and CityPlace. The Clematis-CityPlace trolley route served over 447,000 passengers over the last twelve months.
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 In May of 2012 the City started service for a new “Commuter Circulator” trolley route that connects the “transit nodes” of the Seaboard Train Station and new Intermodal Transit Facility with several of the Downtown’s major transit generators and main employment nodes. One of the main goals of this new route was to facilitate the mobility of commuters within Downtown and from these transit nodes to the downtown destinations. Over the last twelve months of operation, the Commuter Circulator route served 135,772 passengers. This means that over 582,000 passengers used the City’s trolleys over the last year. Figure 3 depicts the trolley route that connects CityPlace with the Clematis Street District in yellow and the new route connecting the Seaboard Train Station with the rest of Downtown in green. FIGURE 3: Downtown Trolley Routes
A few years ago the City of West Palm Beach was awarded a $247,500 grant by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the design and construction of trolley shelters. Detailed construction plans for all ten shelters locations were completed in 2013. The plans included the construction of six new shelters and the retrofit of four existing “trellised” stops into full transit-
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 shelters. The general design for both types of shelters is depicted below and the City expects that the construction of some of these shelters will take place within the next few months.
Regional transit service to the Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA area is provided by Tri-Rail, which is administered by the South Florida Regional Transit Authority (SFRTA). The City’s Tri-Rail Station is located on Tamarind Avenue at Datura Street. This station is contiguous to the recently opened Intermodal Transit Center. In 2014, Tri-Rail ridership was 4.35 million passengers, which is the highest ridership ever for this transit system. The West Palm Beach station is one of the three most heavily used within the entire Tri Rail system. In 2014, there were over 360,000 boardings at the West Palm Beach station. Reduction of Motor Vehicle Use TMS activities attempt to reduce motor vehicle use in congested areas, such as the Downtown. This relates to the supply and demand of transportation facilities and related infrastructure, such as the cost of parking, the supply of parking facilities, bicycle/pedestrian facilities, and transit service and infrastructure, as discussed above. The City is continually improving the pedestrian environment within the Downtown. The Dixie Highway/Olive Avenue Downtown Street Master Plan, developed for the reconstruction of these streets, included a minimum sidewalk width of eight feet. The plan also incorporated raised intersections at major pedestrian intersections, an increase in street trees, a greater separation between the sidewalk and the motor vehicle travel lanes, wider sidewalks, and on-street parking. The reconstruction of Dixie Highway and Olive Avenue that was completed in 2006 is an example where these principles have been incorporated. Also, the City has obtained several grants for pedestrian streetscape improvements along Quadrille Avenue and Clematis Street that have created a safer and more pleasant pedestrian environment along these roadways. In addition, the City recently completed a series of significant improvements to Flagler Drive and its downtown waterfront area, which among other things have substantially enhanced the pedestrian environment on this area of downtown.
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 The Downtown Master Plan (DMP), updated in 2008/09, established minimum and maximum parking requirements for developments within the Downtown area in order to avoid excessive parking that could incentivize automobile use. For retail uses, the regulations consist of a maximum of four parking spaces and a minimum of two spaces per 1,000 square feet. For office uses, the requirements are a maximum of four parking spaces and a minimum of two and a half spaces per 1,000 square feet. For residential, there is a maximum of two parking spaces and a minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit. The intent of the DMP is to reduce not only the amount of surface parking lots within the Downtown, but also to centralize the supply of parking, creating a “park once” environment that contributes to the reduction of motor vehicle use in the Downtown. Intermodal Facility The City worked closely with PalmTran and Palm Beach County regarding the development of the Intermodal Transit Center adjacent to the Seaboard Train Station. While all the TMS initiatives are interrelated, the Intermodal Station plays a key role in providing a central location for connecting all Downtown transportation modes. The facility, which opened in the spring of 2009, includes 18 bus bays, a kiss-and-ride area, and public restrooms. It is intended to serve as the central hub for the transfer of numerous PalmTran bus routes. The northern portion of the site includes a new public parking area and storage lockers for bicycles. The Intermodal Transit Center is linked to area facilities by new wide sidewalks, and a pedestrian corridor which provides the core of the site. The site is ideally suited for the transit passenger facility given the proximity of existing transit infrastructure to the east, accessibility to the regional transportation network, PalmTran’s existing and future routes, and the concentration of nearby employment. Seaboard Train Station In 2007, the City was awarded funds for improvements to the Seaboard Train Station, which forms the hub of downtown transit service. The station provides TriRail, Amtrak, and Greyhound Bus services in one location, adjacent to the new PalmTran facility. Construction of these improvements was completed in 2012. This project is expected to improve vehicular circulation and improve pedestrian access to and within the Station. In addition, SFRTA recently installed bicycle lockers in the area around the station in order to facilitate bike commuting in the region through Tri-Rail. All Aboard Florida Train Passenger Service Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) is developing a privately owned, operated and maintained intercity passenger rail service called All Aboard Florida that will give business and leisure passengers a new convenient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to travel between South Florida and Central Florida. The new route will feature passenger service along the existing Florida East Coast Corridor between Miami and the Space Coast and the creation of new tracks into Central Florida. Stations
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 are currently planned for downtown Miami, downtown Fort Lauderdale, downtown West Palm Beach and Orlando. All Aboard Florida is estimated to help take three million cars off the roads each year once it starts operations by the year 2016. The downtown West Palm Beach Station will be located in the core of the TCEA area and will provide an additional transportation option to those traveling to the City of West Palm Beach and the greater Palm Beach County area. Skybike Bike Sharing Program In 2014, the City and the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) signed an agreement in order to develop a bicycle sharing program in West Palm Beach. The first phase of the system, which is named Skybike, is expected to be operational within the next couple of months and will include 14 stations located throughout Downtown and will include over 150 bikes available for rental.
City Commons and Waterfront In early 2010, the City completed the new waterfront project which includes the City Commons and the area from North Clematis Street to the Middle Bridge along the Intracoastal Waterway. The new waterfront includes significant amenities for pedestrians and bicyclists. A new multipurpose trail is located along Flagler Drive, providing direct views of the waterfront. New landscaping, benches, water fountains, and bicycle racks are provided along the length of the waterfront. Downtown Master Plan Regulations During the last three years, the City has undertaken a process to update the Downtown Master Plan, the document which guides development within the TCEA boundaries. A revised DMP
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 Element of the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2007 and zoning regulations for the DMP were adopted in 2009. The downtown regulations recognize the unique opportunities and challenges of sustaining a truly mixed-use urban core. As such, the proposed zoning includes several allowances related to supporting transit, transportation options, and pedestrian activity. Among these are: -
Support of mixed-use development in urban core and special districts; Increased requirements for bicycle racks and showers and changing rooms for large developments; Sidewalk widths increased from eight (8) feet to 12 or 16 feet, depending on street designation; Requirement for ground floor uses which promote pedestrian movement, and architectural guidelines which create interesting storefronts; Minimum and maximum parking requirements to reduce dependence on singleoccupancy vehicles; Incentives for affordable housing developments that will additionally help to preserve the residential/commercial mix required by the TCEA; and Incentives for office development to provide increased employment opportunities in the downtown area.
Promotion of Downtown Residential Projects One of the requirements of the TCEA was for the City to increase the ratio of residential to nonresidential land uses within its Downtown. Baseline ratios of residential to non-residential ratios were established with specific timeframes for those ratios to be achieved. The logic behind these requirements was that new housing would bring more people into the Downtown, where many would work, shortening trips and contributing to the reduction of motor vehicle use. Since the inception of the TCEA in 1997, several thousand residential units have been built within the boundaries of the Downtown TCEA. Currently, there are almost 6,500 residential units in the Downtown, and this area has a residential to non-residential ratio of 0.64 (see Attachment 1), well exceeding the 0.46 ratio required as part of the TCEA requirements for this year.
Transportation Management Initiative (TMI) In January 2002, a meeting of downtown West Palm Beach Stakeholders was held to discuss solutions for traffic congestion. City leaders, County leaders, representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Downtown business community reached clear
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 consensus that one effective solution to traffic would be to establish a Downtown West Palm Beach Transportation Management Initiative (TMI). The City and the FDOT executed an agreement in 2002 to jointly fund the TMI. South Florida Commuter Services (SFCS), the regional commuter assistance program of FDOT, was contracted to implement the TMI. In June 2002, a full time Program Coordinator was hired and the TMI started operations. The purpose of the TMI is to address downtown West Palm Beach traffic congestion and parking demand by encouraging and promoting alternatives to driving alone in the downtown. As an effort to reduce the amount of motor vehicle traffic in the Downtown, the TMI’s goal is to encourage commuter activities, such as carpooling, vanpooling, and transit use by promoting and marketing commuter options to the business community in the Downtown area. The TMI is a public/private initiative that provides transportation assistance to employers, commuters, and the Downtown business community. In addition, it serves as a forum for coordinating public and private efforts relating to transportation issues.
TMI Results and Accomplishments Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions The TMI enhances the City of West Palm Beach’s Sustainability initiative to reduce emissions by measuring direct savings through registered alternative mode users. A snapshot of City of West Palm TMI alternative mode statistics as of December of 2014 is as follows:
WPB TCEA Area WPB TMI Area Total
# in TMI Database (Total) 458 913 1,371
WPB TCEA
# of Employers in Database 195
WPB TMI
Drive Alone 243 429 672
Carpool 58 107 165
Vanpool 22 202 224
PalmTran 71 106 177
Tri-Rail 62 65 127
Other 2 4 6
* CO2 Savings per Year (alternative mode users) TCEA = (215 alt. mode users) - 1,541,550 lbs. of C02 savings/yr WPBTMI = (484 alt. mode users) - 4,716,580 lbs. of C02 201 savings/yr CO2 calculations based on 1 mile = .73 lbs. of CO2 output Avg. Daily Roundtrip Commute = (TCEA - 41 miles) / (TMI - 58 miles)
Employer Outreach The TMI focuses on outreach to major employers located within the West Palm Beach TCEA and within other areas of the City. TMI efforts concentrate on major employers and office buildings within the TCEA or its perimeter affecting vehicle trips into the area. The goal of
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 employer outreach is to provide TMI education about alternative transportation modes and other programs to reduce vehicle trips into the TCEA. Currently there are 396 employers in the South Florida Commuter Services database that are located in the City of West Palm Beach municipal boundaries. Specific outreach was conducted to the following major employers. Outreach was conducted to smaller sized employers as well. Palm Beach Atlantic University, City of West Palm Beach, the Florida Department of Health, Florida Career College, Keiser College, Northwood University, Palm Beach County, the Breakers Resort, Clerk and Comptroller’s Office, Public Defenders Office, Tax Collector Office, Doubletree by Hilton, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FPL/Nextera, Hedrick Brothers, ITT Tech, Palm Beach Zoo, One Clearlake Centre, Forte Interactive, and Paychex. Outreach activities included transportation days, employee transportation surveys, lunch and learns, ride matching, Emergency Ride Home enrollments, vanpool formations and promotions, bike month promotion, preferential carpool parking, Enterprise car sharing, employer survey follow up alternative mode promotions such as preferential parking introduction and point of sale transportation kiosk and brochure displays. City of West Palm Beach Bike to Work Week. The City of West Palm Beach TMI created Bike to Work week activities for the City of West Palm Beach to celebrate Bike to Work month. The TMI partnered with the Palm Beach MPO, the City of West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability, and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The event included activities to encourage commuters to try bicycling to work. Activities included a lunch and learn about commuting to work by bicycle essentials, a week long campaign asking bicycle commuters to log their commutes and a bike to work day where bicycle commuters met in downtown West Palm Beach. Sixty three commuters participated in the week long events held in March of 2014, which included “Bike Commuting Essentials Lunch and Learn” hosted by Bret Baronak, the Palm Beach MPOs Bicycle Greenways and Pedestrian coordinator; a Bike to Work Week Challenge; and the Bike to Work Day. Participants logged their bicycle commutes during the week, reducing trips to downtown by 180 and reducing GHG emissions by 962 pounds! Commuters who logged the most miles and reduced the greatest amount of emissions were recognized at a city commission meeting and were presented with certificates of achievement by the Mayor.
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015
City of West Palm Beach Employee Health & Wellness Fair. The TMI participated in the city’s annual employee Health & Wellness fair with a tabletop display. The TMI distributed information about alternative modes, Emergency Ride Home, carpool parking, and car sharing. Over 150 employees visited the table. The TMI registered 21 employees for carpooling and/or the Emergency Ride Home program. One Clearlake Centre The TMI worked with the property manager for one of the largest office buildings in downtown West Palm Beach to host a transportation day. The property manager sent out email graphics and distributed posters to building tenants to promote the event. Palm Tran also participated to promote alternative modes such as carpooling, riding the bus, car share, and Tri-Rail. Some of the large tenants include Shoes for Crews, various law firms, the State of Florida Judicial Court, Keller-Williams and G4S. Over 100 commuters visited the event. One Clearlake also promoted Bike-to-Work week and car sharing by forwarding promotional emails to tenants.
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015
City Colleges and Universities The TMI began working with ITT Tech by creating a carpool program through the implementation of a survey. The TMI continued to work with Florida Career College, Northwood University, Keiser University and PBAU to promote TMI activities within the city. FPL/Nextera This is the second year that the TMI has worked with the FPL/Nextera Energy office in West Palm Beach. The TMI initially launched carpool parking with the installation of two spaces. Due to the success of the carpool parking program, the TMI has supplied the facility with additional carpool parking signs, increasing the number of spaces by four. Many FPL employees at the West Palm Beach location also work at the Juno Beach location. There are 6 carpoolers currently registered for the West Palm Beach facility. SFCS plans to hold a transportation event at the facility to promote the new spaces and register new carpoolers.
Breakers Resort The TMI continues to work closely with the Breakers Resort to reduce commuter car trips. The TMI participated in the resort’s annual health and benefits fair and continues to administer its carpool and hybrid parking program.
Community Awareness Communicating the efforts and services of the West Palm Beach TMI is paramount to the success of reducing vehicle trips to the city. The TMI participates in local events, publishes periodic newsletter articles at employer worksites, and updates the TMI website to launch new programs and services.
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 Palm Beach Zoo A.C.T. for Wildlife Event. The City of West Palm Beach TMI and South Florida Commuter Services partnered with the Palm Beach Zoo and the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to host an Alternative Clean Transportation event. The City’s Office of Sustainability and Tri-Rail also participated hosting a table top and promoted the event through their on-line newsletters. Zoo visitors were encouraged to use alternative modes like carpooling, bicycling and walking to get to the zoo. Alternative mode users were rewarded with discount entry fees and promotional items. Pedestrian and bicycle safety was emphasized through interactive booths located throughout the zoo including recycling, bicycle safety, walking safety, and FDOT’s Alert Alive. The busiest table was the bike helmet table where over 150 bike helmets were fitted and given away free to attendees on a first come, first serve basis. The event was a great success drawing large crowds. The agency participants interacted with over 500 people throughout the morning.
Left: Jennifer Fierman with FDOT fitting helmets. Right: Event promotional poster. Downtown Neighborhood Association. The Downtown Neighborhood Association promoted TMI activities throughout the year including car sharing, bike to work week and events such as the A.C.T. for Wildlife at the Palm Beach Zoo. Website. The TMI website was updated periodically throughout the year to promote new and modified TMI transportation services and events. The TMI website is a one stop tool for commuters, residents and employers to obtain alternative transportation mode information. www.wpbtmi.org
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 Point of Sale Materials. The TMI creates and distributes point of sale materials to promote alternative transportation modes. The TMI created a shuttle brochure to promote the new shuttle targeted to commuters that connects the Tri-Rail station to downtown destinations and offers extended hours. The brochure includes shuttle information and the shuttle map. The TMI distributed the shuttle brochure throughout downtown and at employers. Other Programs.
Office of Sustainability Green Business Challenge. The TMI participated in the launch event of the City of West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability’s Green Business Challenge by hosting an informational table. The TMI worked with the Office of Sustainability to design a transportation section for businesses to earn points by implementing specific alternative transportation programs.
Enterprise Car Sharing. The Enterprise Car Sharing agreement was approved for another year by the City Commission. The car sharing program membership base continues to grow. One hundred twenty nine commuters have become Enterprise Car Share members since the inception of the program. The program averaged 14 rentals per month during 2014. The TMI promoted the agreement renewal to area employers and condominium managers. Carpool Parking Program. The TMI has continued to promote the City of West Palm Beach carpool parking program to specific employers utilizing the Evernia parking garage and to the City employees using the Clematis Parking garage. Fifteen carpoolers have registered to use the spaces saving annually 84,706 lbs. in GHG emissions and reducing commute miles to the city by 107,107 miles. Tri-Rail ERH and Car Share Campaigns
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015 The TMI along with co-workers from South Florida Commuter Services, worked at the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station at two different times to promote the Emergency Ride Home program and then at another time, to promote the car share program. For both events, commuters were given a flyer that allowed them to sign up at the station or on-line. Over three hundred flyers were distributed. Safe Routes to School and the SchoolPool Program. The TMI continued promoting the SchoolPool program throughout the City of West Palm Beach. The SchoolPool program is designed to reduce traffic congestion during peak travel times by promoting carpooling, bicycling and walking to school. The TMI has worked with the following schools within the municipality since the program started: UB Kinsey, Northboro Elementary School, St. Juliana School, Forest Hill High School, Grassy Waters Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Belvedere Elementary, Conniston Middle, South Olive Elementary and Bak Middle School. Some of the programs launched included Classroom Challenges to create carpooling programs, walking and bicycling programs to enhance safety and reduce car traffic, presentations to SAC and PTA groups, carline assessments, and participation at school orientations and other events. Some specific SchoolPool programs for the 2014-2015 school year are outlined below. Grassy Waters Elementary continues to be a strong participant in the SchoolPool program. Grassy Waters held a Walk to School Day, CoolPool Day and an emissions reduction art contest with the TMI’s SchoolPool program. The CoolPool Day asks parents and students to try using an alternative mode of transportation to get to school on a specified day. The TMI measured the morning carline prior to launching a CoolPool Day. The event resulted in a reduction of the morning carline by 12%. The TMI conducted a morning and afternoon carline assessment at South Olive Elementary and sent a follow up report to the school. The TMI assisted South Olive Elementary by promoting and launching a Walk to School Day. Ninety-five students participated by walking to school or approximately 14% of the school enrollment. Northboro Elementary School worked with the TMI by launching a Classroom Challenge survey to gauge parent’s overall interest in starting a SchoolPool program. Two hundred eight surveys were completed with 26% of respondents indicating a positive interest in starting a program.
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Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA - Transportation Management System Report March 2015
Attachment 1 Downtown West Palm Beach TCEA Residential to Non-Residential Ratio (March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015) Residential (units)
Nonresidential (sf)
Ratio
Requirement
2002-2014 Report 2013-2014 Development Evernia Place 1st Bank of the Palm Beaches Benitz Building addition Total Development 2014-2015 2014-2015 Demolitions 250 8th Street 312 7th Street 705 N Olive Avenue 623 7th Street 911 8th Street 504 Datura 501 Evernia 819 N Tamarind Avenue 800 N Tamarind Avenue 440 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard 1010 Sapodilla Avenue 809 5th Street 907 7th Street Total Demolitions 2014-2015
6,444
10,128,464
0.64
0.46
2 1 10
87,305
Total Development 2013-2014
6,519
10,047,229
0.65
0.46
85
85
5,175 895 6,070 2,247 31,779 20,390
1 3 13,264 19,181 1 1 1 444
* The ratios are based upon projects that have received certificates of occupancy within this reporting period. As demonstrated above, the current ratio of .65 exceeds the requirement of .46 for this period.
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